Apparatus for treating ores.



No. 727,362. 'PATBNTED MAY -5, 1903. H. HIRSCHING. APPARATUS FORTREATING 0113s.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10, 1901'.

N0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES .77

do; K A INVENTOf? H0 MODEL.

ll I

H. HIRSGHING. APPARATUS FOR TREATING ORES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 10, "1901.

APA'TENTBD MAY. 5,; 190s.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

IIAIIHHIIII :nl lill I I W1 I'I- 1 A 1' W A WITNESSES //V VENTOH UniteSTATES Patented May 5, 1903 PATENT FFICE.

APPARATUS FOR TREATING ORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 727,362, dated May 5,1903.

Application filed December 10,1901. Serial No. 85,320. (No model.)

.To (bl/T 11.7mm, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY HrRsoHINo, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for Treating Ores,of which the following is a full, clear, and exact. description.

.The object of my invention is to provide an improved apparatus fortreating ores containing copper, zinc,nickel,silver,'and gold,whichapparatus can be successfully employed whether one, part or all of saidmetals are contained in the ore.

The process which this apparatus is designed to carry out is concernedprincipally with the extraction of copper from copper ores, but is alsoapplicable for obtaining gold,

silver, nickel, and zinc from their ores and will form the subject of adistinct application for Letters Patent. The process is a combinationammonia process applicable to crude oxidized ores, but also equallyeffective with refractory ores from which gold, silver, copper, nickel,and zinc could not be obtained satisfactorily by the means hithertoemployed. The principle involved is to subject such refractory ores to apreliminary treatment in order to convert the metals and metalcompoundsin the ores to metal salts soluble in ammonia and com-pounds thereof.The complex composition of the ore-bodies in nature requires carefulstudy in order to be able to select a proper solvent and to deviseproper apparatus for the economical and successful extraction of metalsfrom the gangne. The chemical and physical properties change by theapplication of heat. One metal becomes a soluble salt, another underlike conditions becomes indifierent or insoluble. For this reason nouniform and profitable results could be obtained by means of theprocesses and apparatus hitherto employed. It is my aim to provide forthe thoroughly-tested process described in the specification filed withapplication bearing Serial No. 75,281 and dated September 13, 190lanapparatus by means of which said process can be economically andprofitably carried out on a large scale.

The invention will be fully described here inafter, and the novelfeatures pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a partofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a sectional elevation of a building containing a plant forcarrying out my process, and Fig. 2 is a sectional View of theabsorption-tan ks forming a part of the apparatus. Fig.3 is an enlargedsection of the vessel D, showing metallic plates upon which the preciousmetals may be deposited.

My apparatus consists, primarily, of two sectionsto wit, a leachingplant and a boiling-ont and distilling plant. The leaching plant servesto extract the metals from the nia-stock-leaching solution both in itsliquid and volatilized states and also the metals which have beencarried off by the leaching solution after it has been washed out of theleaching-tank.

The leaching plant consists of ore-hoppers A, a stock-solution tank B, aleaching vessel 0, having manholes through which the ore is chargedcoming from the hoppers A, said leaching vessel being fitted forpercolation and, if desired, resting in journals for the purpose ofagitation, settlers D, D, and D said settlers being vapor-tight andconnected with one another, so that the vapors from the one may passinto the others, and a slimewasher D The boiling-out and distillingplant consists of a quartz-filter E, a still F, a lime-still F,coil-tanks G and G, absorption-tanks H and H, a wash-water tank K, aboiled-out-solution tank L, a hot-water tank M, a dryer N, and analkali-tank T.

Operatively connected or co-acting with the parts hereinbefore describedare a steamboiler O, a cement-trough P, a cement reservoir or basin Q, apump R, and a steam-engine S. Even though electric or water power heused at least one boiler will be necessary for the distilling portion ofthe apparatus.

Leaching-plantpipc connections. '1he water-pipe l is connected with anysuitable source of cold water and with certain pipes,

to be hereinafter described. The leaching vessel 0 is provided on themanhole side with a valved pipe 2, the ends of which discharge withinthe said vessel. On the opposite side of the leaching-tank a similarpipe 3 is arranged, the ends of which likewise discharge into the saidvessel. The ends of both pipes 2 and 3 can be connected bya hose (notshown) with the valved pipe 4, leading to the stocksolution tank B.Furthermore, said pipes 2 and 3 can be connected, by means of hose,withthe valved pipes 5 and (3, leading, respectively, to the wash-water tankK and the boiled-outsolution tank L. By means of the valved pipe 7 thevalved pipes 2 and 3 can be connected by hose with the cold-watersupply 1. The metal solution of the leaching vessel 0 is dischargedafter leaching into the settlers D, D, and D through the valved pipes 89 10, leading, respectively, to the said settlers. The settler D isconnected by a series of superposed valved pipes with the pipe 11,leading to the quartz-filter E. If it be not desired to pass the metalsolution of the settlers into the quartz-filter E, the valve of the pipe11 is closed and the liquid allowed to flow through the pipe 12 to thestill F. The quartz-filter E is connected, by means of a valved pipe 13,with the pipe 12, leading to the still F. By means of the valved pipes14, 15, and 16 the settlers D, D, and D are connected with theslime-washer D After being washed the slimes are discharged to the yardor treated for gold by any practical known process. For the purpose ofwashing the slimes a valved pipe 17 supplies steam from the boiler O,and valved pipes 18 and 19 supply cold or warm Water, as desired, thevalved pipes 17, 18, and 19 and the water-pipe 1 being connected, asshown in Fig. 1.

The pump R, as will be hereinafter more fully shown, serves the purposeof lifting the boiled-out solution from the cement-reservoir Q throughthe short stand-pipe 20, connected with the valved pipe 21, theboiled-out solution passing throughthe pressure-pipe 22 up into the tankL. The pump likewise serves the purpose of raising the wash-water fromthe settler D and the slime-washer D to the tank K through the medium ofthe pipes 23, 21, and 24. For this purpose the wash-water settler D isconnected with the slime-washer by means of the valved pipe 25 and thevalved pipe 26, one being connected with the other. By manipulating thevalves it is evident that the wash-watercan be pumped independently fromthe settler D or the slime-washer D The alkali-tank T, which forms partof my apparatus, if alkali be used, is connected by a valved pipe 27with the still F and by a valved pipe 28 with the steam-supply pipe 17,leading to the boiler 0.

It has been discovered that by the boilingout process, especially if hotair is employed, which of course should be avoided, basic cupro-ammoniumcompounds are formed, which do not readily separate by boiling. Iovercome the difficulty to a certain extent by passing condensedammonia-vapors into the still from the coil-tank G by pipes 34 and 31.The vapors then pass upward through a pipe 48, connected with the coilof the disk G, which coil is connected by a valved pipe 38 with theabsorption-tank H and by means of the trap-pipe 38 with theammonia-stock-solution tank B; but if large quantities are present Iobtain immediate results by passing a few pounds of alkali. solutionfrom the tank T at the last stage of the boiling-out process. Theseparation is rapid and complete. The reaction is as follows:

(GuSO NHQ-I- NaHO:

CuO+HNaS0 +Nl-I Thereby time is saved as well as fuel, and a perfectprocess is the result.

Boilingbut and distilling plant pipe c0n- 7t6Ctt07L8.-AS willhereinafter more fully appear, the metal solution from the ore-leachingvessel 0, the settler D, and filter-tank E is discharged into the stillF, where it is heated, the volatile ammonia being recovered and themetal oxid being deposited in the cone forming the bottom of the still.To separate the stock solution from the oxid, steam is passed into thestill F by means of a valved pipe 29, extending downwardly from thesteam-pipe 17 to the cone of the still F, the valved pipe 29 beingperforated to permit the steam to pass through the metal solution. Thevapors thus created pass through a valved pipe 30, leading from the topof the still F. Said valved pipe 30 is connected with the valved pipe32, extending upward, and with a valved pipe 33, leading from thelimestill F, and also with a pipe 31, which is bent to form a trap andis connected with the still F. From the junction of the pipes 31, 32,and 30 a valved pipe 34 extends upwardly, said pipe being bent to form atrap at the junction mentioned. The valved pipe 32 is connected with thecoil of the tank G, and the valved pipe 34 is a drain-pipe of the coilof the tank G. The water-compartments of the tanks G and G arerespectively connected by valved pipes 35 and 36 with the valved pipe37, leading to the hot-water tank M, the arrangement of the pipes andvalves being such that communication between the tank M and thecoil-tanks can be established separately, if it be so desired. The pipe34 is connected with the lower end of the coil in the tank G, so thatvapors passing upwardly through the pipe 32 and condensing in the coil Gflow back through the valved pipe 34 to the still F, the uncondensedvapors being prevented from rentering the still by reason of the trapformed at the lower end of the pipe 34:. The vapors then pass upwardthrough a pipe 48, connected with the coil of the tank G, which coil isconnected by a valved pipe 38 with the absorption-tank H.

The absorption-tanks H and H consist each of an exterior casing a, aninner casing 12, and an innermost compartment 0 open at the bottom. Fromthe top of the exterior casing a, of the absorption-tank H a valved pipe39 extends to the bottom of the water-compartment of the coil-tank G.From the bottom of the exterior casing a of the absorptiontank H a pipe40 extends upwardly to the top of the exterior casing CL of theabsorptiontank H. The inner casing b of the absorption-tank H isconnected near its top, by means of a valved pipe 41,with the top of thestock-solution tank B. From the bottom of the inner casing h of theabsorption-tank H a pipe 42 extends upwardly to communicate with the topof the inner casing 12 of the absorption-tank H. The pipe 38,hereinbefore mentioned, connects the coil of the tank G with theinnermost compartment 0 of the absorption-tank H. The innercompartment 1) of the absorption-tank H is connected, by means of avalved pipe 43,with the top of the innermost casing c of theabsorption-tank H. Cold water is supplied to both tanks H and H by meansof a valved pipe 44, connected with the valved pipe 7, communicatingwith the pipe 1. The valved pipe 44 is in turn connected with the valvedpipe 45, com municating with the pipe 6 of the boiled-out-solution tankL. Instead of two consecutive absorption-tanks three or more or only onecan be employed. One absorption tank, if large enough, may answer allpurposes. The arrangement of the absorption-tanks,which has beendescribed, is such that the vapors from the coil of the tank G pass downthrough the innermost casing 0, up through the inner casing b, wherethey are partially absorbed, through the valved pipe 43, down throughthe innermost casing c of the absorption-tank H, and up through theinner casing b of the said tank, where the ammonia is completelyabsorbed, so that only the useless vapors escape finally to theatmosphere. The Water, on the other hand, fiows from pipes l and 7 downinto the casing b of the absorption-tank H, thence upwardly anddownwardly through the valved pipe 42 into the inner casing b of theabsorption-tank H, and finally through the valved pipe 41 into theammonia-stock-solution tank 13. Thus the absorbing liquid is caused toflow in a direction opposite to that of the ammonia-gas to be absorbed.

In the operation of my apparatus comminuted ore in the crude state orore that has been subjected to an oxidizing or chlorinating roast, thenmoistened with acidified water or salt solution, is fed from the hoppersA into the leaching vessel C through the manholes. It chloridized orchlorinated ore is used and precious metals are to be recovered, theleaching vessel 0 and settler D must be lined with lead, as shown inFig. 3. The ore is leached, depending upon its composition, either byagitation or up and down percolation, which latter is accomplished byconnecting either pipe 3 or pipe 2 by hose or stationary pipes with thestock-solution-supply pipe 4 and the other pipes hereinbefore mentioned.The stock solution can be diluted in the manner hereinbefore describedby permitting a certain quantity of washwater or boiled-out solution topass into the leaching vessel 0 through the pipe 5 or 6 or by adding acertain quantity of water to the leaching solution in the vessel 0 bymeans of the water-supply pipe 7. The am monia-stock solution used is ofthe constituency specified in the application for the processhereinbefore mentioned. The extraction of the ore having been eifected,the values are discharged into the settlers D, D, and D by means of hoseconnected with the pipe 2 or the pipe 3 of the leaching vessel and thepipes 8, 9, and 10, leading to the said settlers. By turning theleaching vessel 0 on its axis the tailings are discharged through themanholes and carried away. The settlers may be connected by a pipe witha small absorption vessel, said pipe being provided with acheckvalvecommunicating with the atmosphere. If clear enough, the metal solutioncollected in the settlers is allowed to flow directly to the still Fthrough the pipe 12; but it turbid the solution is first passed throughthe filter E and then through pipes 13 and 12 to the still F. By passingsteam through thepipe 29 from the boiler O the metal solution in thestill is boiled or heated and the ammonia driven out, while the metaloxid is precipitated in the cone of the still F. rising from the heatedsolution in the still F pass up through pipe 30 into pipe 32 and enterthe upper end of the coil in the tank G. The condensed products flowthrough the coil and back through the pipe 34 to the still F. The trapat the lower end prevents the return of the vapors into the still, sothat the vapors must, therefore, pass upward and through the coil of thetank G. i The condensed vapors which pass downward through the pipe 34and back into the still F are again subjected to the process ofdistillation until all the ammonia-gases are finally given off. Theproducts of condensation of the tank G pass into the absorption-tank H,together with the uncondensed vapors. These uncondensed vapors pass downthrough the innermost casing c of the tank Hand are partially absorbedby the water flowing throughthe inner casing b. The water, with theabsorbed vapors, passes into the stock-solution tank B through pipe 41;the unabsorbed vapors pass.

ture of this absorption apparatusthat the cold water obtained from thepipe 7 or the The vapors pipe 45 is caused to flow through both tanks Hand H in a direction opposite to the flow of the vapors emerging fromthe tank G. Thus a complete absorption of the ammoniavapors and recoverythereof is assured,while the valueless and uncondensed vapors areallowed to escape to the atmosphere. The metal solution which wasreceived in the still F is made water-clear by boiling. The boiledoutsolution is drawn off after settling,

through valved pipe 47, into the cooling-reservoir Q, and the metaloxid, with the remnant of the liquid, is discharged at the bottom of thecone into the trough P, whence the liquid flows through pipe 19 to thereservoir Q. After repeated use the boiled-out solution becomessaturated with ammonia compounds. It is then passed through the valvedpipe 46 to the lime-still F, there to be treated with lime and steam tofree and recover all the ammonia contained in the compounds. The vaporsgiven 0% pass through the pipe 33 into the pipe 32 and thence to thecondensation apparatus. A separate condensation and absorption systemcould, however, be employed. Through the medium of stand-pipe 20, pipe21, pump R, and pipe 22 the boiled-out solution is raised from the sumpof the cooling-reservoir Q to the boiled-out-solution tank L, from whichit can be fed by pipe 45 to the inner casing 19 of tank H. The pipe 45is connected with the pipe 7, and boiled-out solution or water can beadmitted to the casing b of the tank H, so that the degree ofconcentration of the solution flowing through the pipe 41 .to thestock-solution tank can be regulated. This illustrates one continual useof the boiled-out solution. The boiled-out solution may also be used forthe dilution of the metal extraction in the leaching vessel. After asufficient quantity of metal oxid is collected in trough P it is rakedor shoveled out to a drainer and is then dried in the pan N or any othersuitable pan by heat obtained from any source. The dried metal oxid issold as such or is reduced in a furnace, whereby chemically-pure copperingots are produced ready for the market, since no further refining isnecessary. Thus I avoid the use of expensive Bessemer and electricalrefining plants, a result which is of the greatest importance for smallmining concerns. The slimes collected in the settlers D, D, and D arepassed, by way of the discharge-pipes 15, 14, and 16, to theslime-washer D and washed. They are then treated for precious metals byany approved process. For the purpose of washing the slimes pipe 17supplies steam from the boiler O, and pipes 18 and 19, respectively,supply hot and cold water, as may be desired.

, The settler D can be used for the recovery of gold and silver fromauriferous and argentiferous copper ores and is for this purpose to belined with aleaden jacket 50. (Shown more particularly in Fig. 3.) Thechlorids formed by a chlorinating roast or chloridizing process arefirst dissolved by water and then passed from the lead-lined leachingvessel into the settler D from below. During the period of settlingcopper plates 51 52 may be hungin the solution, upon which copper platesthe precious metals are deposited by galvanic or electric action. Thecopper held in solution is recovered by the boiling-out processpreviously described. The settler D is provided with a filter 53,located below the upper outlet of this settler. The structure of thisfilter is so primitive and well known that it appears unnecessary tofurther detail it in a drawing, and the simple indication with a dottedline in settler D should be sufficient. To the staves of this filter Iattach copper wires or I provide a few books on top cover, but inside onboth the settlersD and D, and hang to them copper plates. By allowingcontact of the solution with the plates the silver is precipitated ascement-silver, and even gold, if anyis in solution, will be recovered.However, as all the gold is precipitated by the subsequent addition ofammonia to the wash solution the recovery of the precious metals by thecopper plates in settlers D (gold-tank of the process) is regarded as apartial one. In settlers D, where more time of contact is allowed, thebalance of the silver is recovered as cement-silver out of thecopper-ammonium solution. A high extraction of gold from the ore is onlythen possible if a complete chlorination or chloridizing has beencarried out. Otherwise the greater part of the gold remains in theore-body, but fortunately in such a condition that it can easily berecovered by a cyanid solution after the ore has been treated withammonia. The copper is thus dissolved, and the solution passes clear andpure through the filter into the settler D. The hydrated ferric oxid andgold thereby precipitated are retained in the settler D. After washingand dividing the concentrated solution and wash-water solutionjudiciously between settlers D and D the slimes are discharged into theslimewasher D to be treated in the usual manner.

The valves 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, and 62 are for convenience inhandling the solution and vapors thereof. An extra pipe 64, providedwith a valve 63, may be used for the addition of any desired substancesto the solution in settler D without disturbing the pipe 8.

Wash-Water is pumped to the tank K from the settler D or theslime-washerD by means of pipes 23 and 24. For this purpose the settlerD and the slime-washer D are connected by pipes 25 and 26.

In order to reduce the cooling-water to a minimum, it will be observedthat the watercompartments of the tanks G and G are respectivelyconnected by the pipes 35 and 36 with the pipe 37, leading to thehot-water tank M, and that the tank G is connected near its bottom, bymeans of the pipe 39, with the exterior casing a of the tank H, whichICO IIO

casing a is in turn connected by the pipe 40 with the exterior casing aof the tank H. By reason of this arrangement water is allowed to flowthrough the pipe 1, the pipe 7, the exterior casing a of the tank H, thepipe 40, the exterior casing a of the tank H, the pipe 89, thewater-compartment of the tank G, the pipe 36,the water-compartment ofthe tank G, and the pipe 35 to the hot-Water tank M,

the Water becoming heated by contact with the absorbing Vessels andcoils of the tanks as it flows through them. The cooling of theabsorption compartments may be accomplished by water-coils passingtherethrough instead of employing inclosing cooling-compartments.

For economical purposes it may be necessary to use more than one stillF. If three stills second still is boiled out, the'third still becomesthe initial still and the second the terminal still. For smaller plantsa system of two stills worked alternately as the initial still can beeconomically employed. Instead of live steam exhaust-steam eventually ofincreased back pressure can be utilized. The steam may be sent directlyinto the liquid of the stills or through drums or coils in the interiorof the stills. In the case of live steam the condensed Water fiows backinto the boiler if the latter be low enough for the drainage of thedrums or coils in the still; otherwise the Water of condensation must bepumped back into the boiler.

I have shown the various parts which comprise my apparatus disposed onthe several floors of a building. I'do not limit myself to thisarrangement, for it is evident that the various tanks and stills andother apparatus can be placed on one fioor or on any number of doors.

The apparatus described affords all the necessary means for themanufacture of aquaammonia from any source, and thus will produce at alow figure the ammonia necessary for the operation of the plant.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. An ore-treating apparatus including a leachingvessel, a settler, a filter, a still, a lime-still, a tank containing acondensingcoil, an absorption-tank for vapors, a stock-v solution tank,a water-tank, and a boiler to supply heat to the first-mentioned still,the so-produced vapors from the still being partially condensed in thecoil-tank, and the vapors not condensed therein being absorbed in thesaid absorption-tank, said parts being connected together by means ofpipes, substan tially as described.

2. An ore-treating apparatus including a leaching vessel, a settler, afilter, a still, a lime-still, a condenser and communicating meansbetween the condenser and the firstmentioned still and between thecondenser and the second-mentioned still, said parts being connectedtogether by means of pipes, substantially as described.

3. An ore-treating apparatus including a leaching vessel, a settler, afilter, a still, a condenser containinga coil, and pipes extending fromthe terminals of the said coil and communicating with the said still,the one pipe serving to conduct the vapors from the still to the coil,and the other pipe serving to conduct the products of condensation fromthe coil to the still, said parts being connected together by means ofpipes, substantially as described.

4. An ore-treating apparatus including a leaching vessel, a settler, afilter, a condenser containing a coil, absorption-tanks communicatingwith the coil of the condenser, a Watertank for the absorption-tanks,and a stocksolution tank communicating with the absorption-tanks, thewater flowing from the water-tank through the absorption-tanks to thestock-solution tank in one direction, and the vapors from the coil ofthe condenser passingthrough the absorption-tanks in the oppositedirection, said parts being connected together by means of pipes,substantially as described.

5. An ore-treating apparatus including a leaching vessel, a settler, afilter, a still, a condenser containing a coil, a stock-solution tank,and an absorption-tank, said absorption-tank consisting of an outercasing oommunicating with a cooling-water tank, an inner casing spacedfrom the outer casing and communicating with the stock-solution tank,and an innermost casing spaced from the inner casing and communicatingwith the coil of the condenser, whereby the vapors and fluid emergingfrom the coil are caused to fioW through the innermost casing andthrough the absorption-water, and the absorption-wa ter is caused toflow through the inner casing to the stock-solution tank, said partsbeing connected together by means of pipes, substant-ially as described.

6. An ore-treating apparatus including a leaching vessel, a settler, afilter, a still, a

condenser consisting of a water-compartment and a coil, a hot-water tankcommunicating with the water-compartment of the con denser, and acold-water tank communicating with the water-compartment of thecondenser, by which communicating pipes the cold water is caused to flowfrom the cold water tank through the condenser, around the coil andtothe hot-water tank, said parts being connected together by means ofpipes, substantially as described.

7. An ore-treating apparatus including a slime-washer, settlersconnected with the slime-washer, a hot-water tank, a cold-Water tank, awash-water tank and a steam-generator, and means whereby hot or coldwater or Wash-water or steam may be charged into the slime-washer.

S. An ore-treating apparatus including a leaching vessel, a settler, afilter, a still, a

steam-boiler, and an alkali-tank connected with the steam-boilerandstill, said parts being connected together by means of pipes,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

HENRY- HIRSOHING.

Witnesses:

CHARLES WILLIAM HENDEL, FRANK TEICHMANN.

